SAN IGNACIO TOWN, Sun. Jan. 31, 2016–Tiger Sharks continues to dominate Ballaz
On Friday night, San Pedro Tiger Sharks traveled out west to take on their rivals, Cayo Western Ballaz, at the Sacred Heart College auditorium in San Ignacio Town. The defending champions, San Pedro Tiger Sharks remained undefeated, as they handed Cayo Western Ballaz their second consecutive loss of the season. The home team jumped out to an early 15 point lead at the start of the second quarter, but San Pedro was able to close the first half on a 14-3 run, to shrink Ballaz’ lead to 35-31, going into intermission. San Pedro dominated the third quarter, holding Ballaz to only 9 pts, as the visiting team took control of the game and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half, to seal the 71-59 victory. San Pedro Tiger Sharks (2-0) was led by foreigner Caleb Sutton, who had the game high 23 pts to go with 9 rebounds and 3 steals. Gene Myvett was huge in the second half, to tally 17 pts, 7 boards, 7 assists and 5 steals; while Jamal Kelly also finished the night with 17 pts. American baller Milton James was the top scorer for Cayo Western Ballaz (1-2), as he tallied his third double-double of the season in as many tries, with 19 pts and 10 rebs. Ivan Flowers scored 14 pts, while Winston Pratt tallied 11 pts, 6 boards and 3 assists. San Pedro outscored the home team, Cayo Western Ballaz, 42-18 in the paint, while getting better production off the bench, 25-13. Tiger Sharks also out-rebounded Ballaz, 44-37, while leading in second chance pts, 12-4.
Griga surprises Pan at UB; Bandits still can’t steal a game
On Saturday night, Belmopan Bandits hosted Dangriga Warriors at the UB gymnasium in Belmopan, as both teams were seeking to record their first win of the season. At the half, Dangriga Warriors was nursing a 34-33 lead, and with less than 3 minutes to go in the game, both teams were sharing the lead. However, down the stretch, the visiting Warriors were able to hold on to the 68-63 lead, to record a huge victory and their first win of the season. Dangriga Warriors (1-1) was led by Edgar Mitchell, who had 16 pts, 4 rebs and 2 assists; while newcomer and foreign player, James Ewing recorded his first double-double of the season with 15 pts and 13 rebs. Macario Augustine finished with 11 pts, while ripping 17 rebs, and Akeem Trapp finished with 10 pts, 4 rebs and 5 steals, while Quinton Bowen also tallied 10 pts and 4 boards. Belmopan Bandits’ (0-3) big man Nick Brown had the game high with 20 pts, to go with 5 rebs, while sharp-shooter Kyle Pascascio finished with 12 pts. Geovannie Lennan tallied 11 pts and 9 rebs, as Belmopan Bandits is still looking for their first win of the season. The Bandits have been the victim of a tough schedule at the start of the season, with one more big game slated for this weekend in Belize City. Dangriga Warriors dominated the points in the paint, 44-26, while they also had the edge with bench pts, 26-16. There were 8 lead changes, and 11 times the score was even. The visitors also out-rebounded Belmopan Bandits, 46-35.
Smart Belize Hurricanes is atop the standings at 3-0, with blowout victory
On Saturday night, Smart Belize Hurricanes hosted the new franchise, Independence Thunderbolts at the Belize Elementary School gym in Belize City, as the visiting team was trying to record their first win of the season. Unfortunately, there was no thunder in this hurricane, as Smart Belize Hurricanes drowned Independence Thunderbolts, 127-59, setting the NEBL record for greatest offensive output. Smart Belize Hurricanes was led by Farron Louriano, who was in MVP form, tallying his first double-double of the season with the game high 34 pts and 11 rebs, while Brian White had another great game with 15 pts and 12 rebs. The league’s leading scorer, Jacob Leslie scored 15 pts, while rookie sensation Glency Lopez had a great game with 12 pts, while dishing out 9 dimes and recording 6 steals. Ty Bradley and Akeem Watters scored 12 and 10 pts, respectively. Independence Thunderbolts was led by Hyram Augustine, who tallied 17 pts, 8 rebs and 4 steals, while Alroy Foreman finished the game with 15 pts and 7 boards. Point guard Jason Daly scored 11 pts, to go with 4 assists and 3 rebs. The Hurricanes scored 28 pts off turnovers, compared to only 5 for the visiting squad, while dominating the paint, outscoring their opponent, 86-26. The home team also led in bench pts, 41-10, and they out-rebounded the Thunderbolts, 58-42.
Upcoming weekend games
Friday at 9:00 p.m. – Dangriga Warriors vs Cayo Western Ballaz at Ecumenical College
Friday at 9:00 p.m. – Belize City No Limit vs Belmopan Bandits at Bird’s Isle
Saturday at 8:00 p.m. – Independence Thunderbolts vs Orange Walk at Independence High School
Saturday at 8:00 p.m. – Cayo Western Ballaz vs Belize City No Limit at Sacred Heart College Auditorium
Saturday at 9:00 p.m. – San Pedro Tiger Sharks vs Smart Belize Hurricanes at San Pedro High School
Sunday at 3:00 p.m. – Dangriga Warriors vs Orange Walk at Ecumenical College
All games can be followed live on our website at nebl.sportingpulse.net, with real time box scores while the game is being played. The website also has all game scores, box scores, players and teams’ statistics, along with standings for the season.